Chapter 97: Heavenly Sword Emerges Again, Prince Of Zhenbei
“Eunuch Ye, you’ve worked hard.” Dragon Mountain Daoist’s smile became a bit more sincere.
No way around it.
The mouth is soft from eating people’s food, and the hand is soft from taking people’s things.
Perhaps this time the Great Yan Dynasty had some intention of putting on a show for the world’s Martial Arts Sects, and acted quite generously.
First was the Daoist Jade Plaque, which was more honorary than substantial, but for the True Martial Sect whose foundation was still shallow, it was exactly what they needed—an ‘official endorsement’. From now on, True Martial Sect disciples traveling outside would receive some face from the court forces.
Next was the ownership of True Martial City.
Although the current True Martial City had been expanded with the assistance of the True Martial Sect, in reality, the True Martial Sect only had management assistance rights.
But from this moment on, it was different.
True Martial City’s taxes and personnel scheduling would all be taken over by the True Martial Sect, allowing the True Martial Sect’s foundation to become even more solid. Using True Martial City to support the True Martial Sect would allow faster growth, and if the True Martial Sect widely opened its mountain gate to recruit disciples later, True Martial City would also be a massive resource pool.
As for the last item, it was the Blood Sun Ganoderma.
Paired with the Thousand Year Fiery Sun Jade previously gifted by the Carefree Lord, Dragon Mountain Daoist’s injuries could heal even faster.
Eunuch Ye smiled amiably:
“Our house is just a messenger, not worthy of such praise from the True Person.”
He casually mentioned:
“The Heir Apparent and the Princess admire Heavenly Sword True Person’s Sword Dao, so they came with me to True Martial Mountain. Seeing it today, they all feel that True Martial Mountain nurtures Spiritual Energy—it’s a treasure land.”
Li Ling and Li Qingyue, who had been looking around, both brightened their eyes and looked expectantly at Dragon Mountain Daoist.
But they remembered Eunuch Ye’s reminder and didn’t speak themselves, to avoid rudeness.
Dragon Mountain Daoist immediately heard the implication in Eunuch Ye’s words.
He just smiled:
“Thank you for the favor from the two Your Highnesses, but Heavenly Sword Senior always comes and goes like a dragon unseen at its tail. Even I can only see him if he’s in the mood. Perhaps at this moment the Senior has already gone down the mountain to travel. If the two Your Highnesses like True Martial Mountain, you can stay for a few days. Maybe Heavenly Sword Senior will see how clever and quick-witted the two Your Highnesses are and come meet you of his own accord.”
Disappointment flashed in Li Ling and Li Qingyue’s eyes. They weren’t fools and could hear the polite refusal.
Li Qingyue opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Ning Qi watched from the side, secretly amused.
But looking at the two kids with faces full of childish innocence, he felt something odd in his heart. Logically speaking, with True Martial Mountain possibly facing an attack from the Demonic Sect now, these two with their noble statuses shouldn’t be risking danger.
Although there was a Heavenly Human Realm Eunuch Ye with them, if the Demonic Sect really came, he wouldn’t be of much use.
The two kids didn’t understand, but could the Emperor and King Zhenbei also be this foolish?
“There are only two possibilities.”
“Either the Great Yan Dynasty is certain the Demonic Sect won’t act again, so one Heavenly Human is enough.”
“Or they simply aren’t afraid of a Demonic Sect attack. Could there be another expert following in secret?”
Ning Qi speculated.
The Wind Sensing Chapter was already silently circulating, with strands of invisible wind falling on every member of the delegation. But to his puzzlement, although he detected several Gang Yuan Realm experts concealing their auras, there wasn’t a single Heavenly Human Realm one.
“Strange.”
Ning Qi frowned slightly.
He didn’t dwell on it further. Anyway, this wasn’t bad for the True Martial Sect.
Dragon Mountain Daoist had already welcomed the court delegation into the main hall to host a reception for them.
During this time.
Everyone chatted and laughed merrily.
Ning Qi roughly figured it out too—these two kids had sneaked out. Of course, they thought they had sneaked out, but from Eunuch Ye’s reaction, it was clear the people behind them knew very well.
“You’re Ning Qi, right? I heard you’re Dragon Mountain True Person’s youngest disciple. Have you met Heavenly Sword True Person?”
The Prince of Zhenbei quietly came over and asked.
Ning Qi now had an indescribable demeanor that easily drew people close. Zhuang Chen had it before, Old Daoist Bai Shan had it, and now Li Ling did too.
Ning Qi shook his head faintly:
“I’ve been at True Martial Mountain for over eight years and have never seen him. Perhaps he feels I’m not in his law eye.”
Li Ling was somewhat disappointed.
“Sigh, I wanted to take him as my master.”
Ning Qi was puzzled:
“Why? King Zhenbei’s Manor shouldn’t lack Heavenly Human Realm experts. Your father is even ninth on the Heavenly Human Ranking. Wouldn’t it be better for him to teach you personally?”
Li Ling shook his head:
“You wouldn’t understand. First, they don’t know the sword, but I only want to learn the sword. Second, if they taught me without beating or scolding me, I definitely wouldn’t study as diligently.”
Ning Qi gave him a sideways glance.
Good grief, so you need to be beaten to feel at ease?
For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t understand the hobbies of rich young masters.
But thinking about it carefully, there indeed weren’t many swordsmen on the Heavenly Human Ranking. Although King Zhenbei had great power, the experts above the Heavenly Human Ranking weren’t summoned at will.
Ning Qi chatted idly with this Prince of Zhenbei.
He found that although this kid sometimes spoke with too much bravado, his nature wasn’t bad. He was just spoiled too much and hadn’t seen the world’s dangers. In comparison, although the Princess was amiable, the occasional sense of superiority she revealed made him dislike her.
The reception banquet ended.
Li Qingyue whispered to Li Ling in complaint:
“Ling brother, we can’t see Heavenly Sword True Person, there’s no point staying here. Let’s go back tomorrow?”
Her interest in the sword wasn’t as fanatical as Li Ling’s. In reality, she was mostly just here to get out and see the excitement. Now she already found the True Martial Sect boring.
Li Ling hesitated a bit.
Eunuch Ye quickly persuaded:
“Your Highness the Heir Apparent, Her Highness the Princess is right. We can’t just keep waiting here for Heavenly Sword True Person to appear. If King Zhenbei finds out you came out…”
Li Ling pouted in retort:
“So what if he knows…”
Eunuch Ye immediately smiled bitterly.
Ning Qi paused his steps and didn’t continue listening. Today had already wasted half a day. Better to go back and look at the Daoist Scripture, practice Gang Qi.
…
The night sky was clear, starlight faintly brilliant.
Ning Qi sat in the Scripture Depository, circulating the Heaven and Earth Millstone Gang Tempering Method. The pill combining the Sarira and Luminous Pearl was still under research, so for now he could only rely on his own cultivation.
Heaven and Earth Power surged around him, with a rumbling sound that only Ning Qi could hear shaking endlessly. Strands of pure Gang Qi flowed from the great millstone.
Looking inward at his body.
One could see that the White Mist Gang Qi in Ning Qi’s body already had a bit of viscosity, and the quantity had also increased compared to before.
This was the process of accumulation leading to breakthrough, quantitative change causing qualitative change.
But during the process, strength would also improve.
Ning Qi estimated that if he cultivated a bit more, he could execute two instances of Heavenly Sword Technique with his own Gang Qi without issue.
Suddenly.
Ning Qi’s heart jolted. He interrupted his cultivation, stood up, and gazed through the Scripture Depository window toward the distant horizon.
Several powerful auras were approaching!
Without any hesitation.
Ning Qi’s divine sense communed with the Fake Core in his heart. In an instant, the Heaven and Earth Power he controlled surged visibly to the naked eye. His eyes gradually turned cold, and his Innate Sword Body silently began circulating.
In fact.
It wasn’t just because Ning Qi’s perception was sharp. It was more because those several powerful auras weren’t concealed.
The comers were hostile.
Overwhelming baleful aura surged from all directions, low laughter rang out, and powerful figures tore through the air.
Some disciples already in deep sleep were suddenly awakened, all looking in shock toward the horizon.
Dragon Mountain Daoist had already come out to greet them with the various True Disciples.
They looked toward the horizon, their pupils contracting sharply, hearts pounding wildly.
Only to see in the voids around True Martial Mountain.
A powerful figure stood in each direction, their powerful auras fully revealed.
Four Heavenly Human Realm experts!
If it were just this, Dragon Mountain Daoist wouldn’t be so cautious. Most critically, besides these four, there was another figure standing at the very top, short in stature, but with an aura far stronger than an ordinary Heavenly Human Realm.
Elder Wang gazed down at the True Martial disciples, his eyes indifferent. His cold voice spread in all directions:
“The True Martial Sect aids the tyrant, insults our Sacred Sect, and must be exterminated!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist took a deep breath and didn’t argue. He knew the Demonic Sect wouldn’t reason with you. Right now, they could only fight to the death.
“True Martial disciples, prepare to meet the enemy!” Dragon Mountain Daoist shouted loudly, silently circulating the Unity of Heaven and Man Secret Technique.
Behind him, Luo Wentian and the others also had firm gazes.
They hadn’t lost hope.
Knowing that Heavenly Sword Senior hadn’t appeared yet.
Elder Wang sneered coldly.
He reached out with a palm, and a handprint dozens of zhang in size pressed down toward the crowd. The handprint was shrouded in green mist with a intense foul stench. Even smelling a trace from afar made one dizzy and blurred vision—clearly containing deadly poison.
Wherever the great handprint passed, it made sizzling sounds, as if corroding the void.
Everyone was horrified.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s eyes were extremely grave as he prepared to meet it head-on, blocking in front of the disciples. The person before him seemed to have strength no less than Old Demon Lin, but he couldn’t retreat. Otherwise, the other disciples would suffer massive casualties in an instant against this man.
But someone was faster than Dragon Mountain Daoist.
From deep within the True Martial Sect, a familiar fluctuation rose, its ultimate sharpness aura making everyone reveal joyful expressions.
“Heavenly Sword True Person! I knew he was here!”
Luo Wentian and the others laughed loudly.
The familiar Heavenly Sword tore through the air in the blink of an eye, stabbing toward the ferocious green great handprint. Unmatched sharpness exploded, instantly annihilating the green mist. Strands of Sword Qi erupted, and the handprint, originally like a small mountain, disintegrated in an instant into green motes filling the sky.
Everyone watched this scene excitedly.
Li Ling and Li Qingyue watching from afar were both thrilled:
“Heavenly Sword True Person! I knew Heavenly Sword True Person was still at True Martial Mountain. This sword is so cool! Even cooler than the rumors!”
Li Ling praised from the heart.
His eyes filled with longing.
“If only I could learn this sword.”
Eunuch Ye also sighed:
“With just this one sword, Heavenly Sword True Person deserves to enter the Heavenly Human Ranking!”
However.
After sighing, he immediately instructed:
“You few, watch over His Highness the Heir Apparent and Her Highness the Princess.”
With that said.
He charged out proactively.
With the True Martial Sect under attack, if he sat idly by, the Demonic Sect wouldn’t spare them after destroying the True Martial Sect. Hiding here was useless, and he couldn’t escape anyway. Better to join in repelling the enemies together.
He hadn’t forgotten.
The Demonic Sect still had four Heavenly Humans watching covetously.
Ning Qi struck out with a sword, destroying Elder Wang’s great handprint. Then the Heavenly Sword hovered in the void, trembling unceasingly, its sharpness pointing straight at Elder Wang.
Elder Wang’s mouth curled, utterly unpanicked, instead showing some delight:
“Heavenly Sword old dog, good that you’re here!”
“You harmed Old Brother Lin. Today, I’ll make you pay a heavy price!”
He laughed ferociously.
“A coward who hides his face, unwilling to show his true appearance. Since you care about the True Martial Sect, this Elder will let you watch it get destroyed with your own eyes!”
As his words fell.
His figure tore through the air, stirring boundless green mist. One palm print after another, fist print after fist print bombarded toward the Heavenly Sword. He grinned savagely, blocking all of the Heavenly Sword’s sharpness and Sword Qi.
The other Demonic Sect Heavenly Humans understood.
They too laughed ferociously.
One of the four Heavenly Humans wielded a sword, Sword Qi like a storm of rain pouring down on the True Martial disciples. Dragon Mountain Daoist glared furiously and shouted, “Insolent thieves, don’t get arrogant!” before charging forward.
Another Demonic Sect Heavenly Human killed in from the east.
But unexpectedly.
A bare-chested burly figure charged out, blocking him. He wielded a Butcher Knife, glaring furiously and cursing:
“Damn it, you Demonic Sect brats have sharp noses! You’ve pissed me off!”
The Butcher Knife tore through the air, strands of Saber Light venting the Butcher’s fury.
Just a few days ago, two Heavenly Humans had been transferred away, and now the Demonic Sect came. They really were like dogs.
He had heard the commotion from True Martial City and rushed to support at full speed.
There were also Demonic Sect Heavenly Humans from the west and north.
Eunuch Ye’s figure was ghostly, intercepting the northern Heavenly Human midway.
In an instant.
Nine Heavenly Humans were battling on the scene, the shockwaves resounding through the night sky. The fallout descended on the True Martial Sect, collapsing and shattering pavilion after pavilion. But this wasn’t what weighed most heavily on everyone’s hearts.
Because there was still one Demonic Sect Heavenly Human unmatched.
No new Heavenly Human Realm emerged to block him.
As such, that Demonic Sect Heavenly Human was utterly unstoppable, invincible.
“Tsk tsk tsk, Heavenly Sword old dog, watch the True Martial Sect get destroyed!”
Elder Wang laughed viciously. He was somewhat shocked by Heavenly Sword True Person’s strength—it was stronger than the rumors. He could only stalemate with this Heavenly Sword. Fortunately, the Demonic Sect had one more Heavenly Human Realm on their side; the advantage was theirs. He mocked wantonly, trying to disturb the opponent’s mind.
Inside the Scripture Depository.
Ning Qi frowned slightly.
His appearance and build gradually changed, turning into a white-haired elder.
Right now, he could only step forward personally, facing two with one.
But as he lifted his foot, Ning Qi retracted it. A look of astonishment appeared in his eyes, and he said softly:
“So you’ve finally appeared?”
He sensed a new powerful aura appear, near Li Ling and Li Qingyue.
Just at the instant Eunuch Ye had acted moments ago.
The Demonic Sect Heavenly Human had seen through his identity.
“Eunuch?!”
The many Demonic Sect Heavenly Humans were all stunned, then Elder Wang quickly reacted. His eyes lit with excitement, and he laughed loudly:
“A Heavenly Human Realm eunuch here to bestow rewards? Looks like there’s someone of high status in the delegation?”
He hadn’t expected this pleasant surprise.
Originally, he had just planned to wipe them out together when the delegation arrived, but he ended up hooking a big fish.
“Old Zhang, go fish out that big one!”
The only Heavenly Human Realm expert without an opponent, Old Zhang, also laughed maniacally. He had originally planned to slaughter True Martial disciples to shake Dragon Mountain True Person and Heavenly Sword True Person’s minds, but now he had a new target.
Heaven and Earth Power constantly perceived.
Soon he spotted those conspicuous targets.
A boy and a girl, protected in the center by several Gang Yuan Realm experts, who had just run out from a collapsed pavilion.
“Big fish, found you!”
Old Zhang laughed heartily. His figure moved, appearing before Li Ling and Li Qingyue. His pupils shrank sharply as he recognized their identities:
“King Zhenbei’s youngest son? Princess Qingyue?”
His body shook with excitement.
“Big fish, indeed a big fish!”
Elder Wang’s body also shook, wild with joy. He quickly instructed:
“Capture them alive! Alive!”
Old Zhang laughed:
“Elder Wang, rest assured, I understand.”
Overwhelming baleful aura crushed toward the people before him. The several experts protecting Li Ling and Li Qingyue all spat blood and flew back, unable to withstand a single blow before a Heavenly Human Realm.
Li Ling and Li Qingyue trembled in fear. Li Qingyue had completely lost her earlier arrogance. Her eyes brimmed with tears, which she held back from crying out. Amid the ruins, her little face was smudged with dust. Li Ling was slightly better but his legs also shook. He shielded Li Qingyue behind him and mustered a shout:
“Dare touch us, and my father won’t let you go!”
The Demonic Sect Heavenly Human smiled mockingly:
“Don’t worry, your father will come begging to me in time.”
As his words fell.
A faint voice sounded behind him:
“Is that so? How exactly do you plan for this king to beg you?”
“Naturally, to cooperate with our Sacred Sect…” Before the Demonic Sect Heavenly Human finished speaking, his pupils had shrunk to pinpoints.
Fear and horror surged in his heart. He instinctively turned his head, only to see a majestic middle-aged man in splendid robes standing there. One hand slowly reached out—very slowly, yet he couldn’t resist it at all.
That hand naturally gripped the Demonic Sect Heavenly Human’s neck and twisted slightly.
The Heavenly Human fell.
King Zhenbei looked at the utterly dumbfounded Li Ling and Li Qingyue and smiled faintly:
“Now do you know not to fool around?”
